Indiana State Police and Legalization of Marijuana

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 - 6:44pm

Leader of Indiana State Police Says Legalization of Marijuana Makes Sense for Indiana

Free Press Report

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Earlier today, State police Superintendent Paul Whitesell told members of the State Budget Committee that he has followed the issue of marijuana during his 40-year law enforcement career and believes "it is here, it's going to stay."

"My thought is, toward the zenith of my career, it is here, it's going to stay," Whitesell told the panel. "That's an awful lot of victimization that goes with it.

"If it were up to me I do believe I would legalize it and tax it, particularly in sight of the fact that several other states have now come to that part of their legal system as well."

His answer was brought on by a question by Democratic Rep. Sheila Klinker, who asked about legalizing small amounts of Marijuana for personal use.

"I think the tendency throughout the United States is to control it, because the drug cartels are controlling us in many ways and getting a lot of our folks not only killed, but getting the money, rather than taxing the situation and controlling it," Klinkertold the Indianapolis Star after the meeting.

Currently in Indiana, possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor on the first offense and carries a sentence of up to one year. Possession of more than 30 grams is a Class D felony that carries a sentence of one to three years in prison.